The International Myeloma Foundation Says Major Medical Conference
Points to Improved Treatment and Survival Options for Blood Cancers

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. & ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 7, 2007
- The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) - supporting research
and providing education, advocacy and support for myeloma patients,
families, researchers and physicians - today said findings to be
presented at the global hematology conference show that even
without a cure, there are dramatic improvements in treatment and
survival for patients with multiple myeloma, a cancer of cells in
the bone marrow.

Presentations will highlight:

-- long term survival potential for growing numbers of
patients

-- medical options becoming available for newly diagnosed
patients

-- powerful new drugs that may delay or replace the need for
bone marrow transplants

In addition, key therapies developed for myeloma, are showing
promise in other blood cancers. The studies will be presented at
the 49th Annual Meeting of The American Society of Hematology in
Atlanta beginning December 8th.

"We are seeing longer responses with fewer side effects for a
growing range of patients," said Susie Novis president and
co-founder of the International Myeloma Foundation. "The findings
at this global conference are moving myeloma closer to becoming a
chronic disease that can be managed long-term while we continue to
search for a cure."

Among the highlights of the conference are improved response and
survival in the important category of patients who are newly
diagnosed. These patients have had fewer options and less access to
the newer medications.

REVLIMID(R) is an oral medication from Celgene and the newest of
a group of drugs called immunomodulatory drugs or IMiDs(R)
compounds. At ASH, REVLIMID is supported by studies from the two
large cancer cooperatives, SWOG (Southwest Oncology Group), which
evaluated REVLIMID and dexamethasone, and ECOG (Eastern Cooperative
Oncology Group), which evaluated REVLIMID plus low dose
dexamethasone as a treatment for newly diagnosed patients. Dr.
Vincent Rajkumar of the Mayo Clinic, the lead investigator, called
the results "the best one-year survival data that I've seen in a
large phase 3 study in myeloma." His ECOG study was selected by the
American Society of Hematology to be highlighted at a press
conference during the 2007 meeting.

VELCADE(R), co-developed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development,
L.L.C. outside the U.S., is the first in a new class of medicines
called proteasome inhibitors. For newly diagnosed patients, data
will be presented from the multi-center international VISTA trial,
evaluating the combination therapy of VELCADE, melphalan and
prednisone(VMP). The trial was led by Dr. Jesus San-Miguel.
According to Millennium, "VELCADE based therapies have
unprecedented complete remission rates and survival benefits in
multiple myeloma," and data at ASH will support expanding its use
to include newly diagnosed patients.

Both drugs are already approved for use in patients who have
been previously treated with older therapies.

"Importantly, for some patients, this potent new arsenal may be
used to enhance or even replace stem cell or bone marrow
transplants," said Brian G.M. Durie, M.D. chairman and co-founder
of the International Myeloma Foundation. "Transplants have been a
mainstay of patient care, but can be debilitating. The new findings
give us more options for patients who are newly diagnosed and more
encouragement for patients who turn to these drugs after previous
treatments."

-- BANK ON A CURE(R), the IMF DNA bank with gene pathways that
indicate bone disease in myeloma

In addition to helping myeloma patients, the groundbreaking
research is paying off with positive results in other blood cancers
with findings being presented at ASH. VELCADE is approved for
mantle cell lymphoma and other forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
(NHL). Data about REVLIMID will be presented in chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL), and NHL.

Added Dr. Durie, "Ultimately which therapies are used when, will
depend on how long the benefits last, potential side-effects,
patient history and other factors. But we are pleased to have
choices and potential, where just a few years ago the outlook was
guarded and our options were limited."

ABOUT The International Myeloma Foundation

The International Myeloma Foundation is the oldest and largest
myeloma organization, reaching more than 165,000 members in 113
countries worldwide. A 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated
to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients and their
families, the IMF focuses in four key areas: research, education,
support and advocacy. To date, the IMF has conducted more than 120
educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned hotline,
and operates Bank on a Cure(R), a unique gene bank to advance
myeloma research. The IMF was rated as the number one resource for
patients in an independent survey by the Target Research Group. The
IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE, or out of the United States
at +1 (818) 487-7455. More information is available at
www.myeloma.org.

Contact

For The International Myeloma Foundation
Stephen Gendel
or
Jennifer Anderson
+1-212-918-4650

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